Guidebook for Calgary
Essentials
Lukes Drug Mart
112 4 St NEPricey, but has everything you'll need for your stay.
Pricey! But, it has a nice Farmer's Market every Thursday between 3:30 and 7:30pm. The community center, with a large park and playground, is also nearby.
61 moradores locais recomendam
Bridgeland Market
1104 1 Ave NEPricey! But, it has a nice Farmer's Market every Thursday between 3:30 and 7:30pm. The community center, with a large park and playground, is also nearby.
7-Eleven
802 1 Ave NENote: Chinatown generally closes at 6/6:30pm.
If you feel like venturing into Calgary's Chinatown, try this spot for your groceries. It is small and crowded with narrow isles. But, it is the quintessential Chinatown shopping experience. You should know what you want before you walk in because everything is only labelled in Chinese and most of the staff are not fluent in English.
If you get frustrated or can't find what you are looking for, there is an open-air fruit & veggie stall across the street.
If you need a bit of a treat before or after, my favourite bubble tea place in the city is just beside it. I can't remember the name of the bubble tea place, but... find the HSBC, then take the stairs to the basement of the HSBC building. At the bottom of the stairs, make a sharp left and you will be in the bubble tea shop. If you go inside the basement level of the plaza, there is also a small bakery that sells fairly-good coconut buns and other sweet & savoury pastries.
Hang Fung Foods Ltd
119 3 Ave SENote: Chinatown generally closes at 6/6:30pm.
If you feel like venturing into Calgary's Chinatown, try this spot for your groceries. It is small and crowded with narrow isles. But, it is the quintessential Chinatown shopping experience. You should know what you want before you walk in because everything is only labelled in Chinese and most of the staff are not fluent in English.
If you get frustrated or can't find what you are looking for, there is an open-air fruit & veggie stall across the street.
If you need a bit of a treat before or after, my favourite bubble tea place in the city is just beside it. I can't remember the name of the bubble tea place, but... find the HSBC, then take the stairs to the basement of the HSBC building. At the bottom of the stairs, make a sharp left and you will be in the bubble tea shop. If you go inside the basement level of the plaza, there is also a small bakery that sells fairly-good coconut buns and other sweet & savoury pastries.
Parks & Nature
It's a nice, short walk away from the buzz of downtown. On occasion, the city/private groups set up movies or music in the park.
102 moradores locais recomendam
Ilha de São Patrício
1300 Zoo Rd NEIt's a nice, short walk away from the buzz of downtown. On occasion, the city/private groups set up movies or music in the park.
Food Scene
diner deluxe
804 Edmonton TrailDiner Deluxe is a pretty famous brunch spot in Calgary.
Japanese Cuisine Daruma
630 1 Ave NEModerately priced Japanese food.
Spicy Hut
203 4 Street NortheastModerately priced Thai & Chinese
The Stromboli Inn
614 1 Ave NEModerately priced Italian pizza. Cute, cozy location.
Villa Firenze
610 1 Ave NEFor a fancy night out.
Joycee's Caribbean Food-Tkot
630 1 Ave NEModerately priced Caribbean food. It also sells some groceries.
In my opinion, the best bubble tea in the city, albeit a bit pricey. They use real fruit (frozen), not powder. Good, prompt service.
It may be a bit hard to find. Tip: find the HSBC, then take the stairs (with a red bannister) to the basement of the HSBC building. At the bottom of the stairs, make a sharp left and you will be in the bubble tea shop. If you go inside the basement level of the plaza, there is also a small bakery that sells fairly-good coconut buns and other sweet & savoury pastries.
Try Again Beverage House
111 3 Ave SEIn my opinion, the best bubble tea in the city, albeit a bit pricey. They use real fruit (frozen), not powder. Good, prompt service.
It may be a bit hard to find. Tip: find the HSBC, then take the stairs (with a red bannister) to the basement of the HSBC building. At the bottom of the stairs, make a sharp left and you will be in the bubble tea shop. If you go inside the basement level of the plaza, there is also a small bakery that sells fairly-good coconut buns and other sweet & savoury pastries.
Starbucks
951 General Avenue NortheastThis is a 30 second walk from our home. 7am - 9pm.
Butcher shop. Cheap and fresh chicken and pork. They also have beef in the back, but it's not as well priced.
Wahing Meat Shop
108 3 Ave SEButcher shop. Cheap and fresh chicken and pork. They also have beef in the back, but it's not as well priced.
Sightseeing
Torre de Calgary
101 9 Ave SWChinatown Business Centre
328 Centre St SOnce you reach the north end of the Center St bridge, on the east side, you'll see a set of stairs. Take the stairs to the top for a great view of the Bow River and downtown Calgary. There are also some nice benches at the top and the halfway point for a picnic.
Samis Road Northeast
Once you reach the north end of the Center St bridge, on the east side, you'll see a set of stairs. Take the stairs to the top for a great view of the Bow River and downtown Calgary. There are also some nice benches at the top and the halfway point for a picnic.
A pretty, sunny walk along the Bow River. This walk gets very busy at lunchtime.
12 moradores locais recomendam
RiverWalk
RiverWalkA pretty, sunny walk along the Bow River. This walk gets very busy at lunchtime.
Arts & Culture
Museu de Glenbow
130 9 Ave SEFort Calgary
750 9 Ave SEArts Commons
205 8 Ave SEThe CPL offers free printing and internet access, guidebooks for the city (and the mountains) if you need some ideas, and a piano and chessboard if you want to kill some time.
The library also has great free programming for all ages - lectures on interesting topics, plays/musicals over lunch, storytime for kids, etc.
148 moradores locais recomendam
Central Library
800 3 St SEThe CPL offers free printing and internet access, guidebooks for the city (and the mountains) if you need some ideas, and a piano and chessboard if you want to kill some time.
The library also has great free programming for all ages - lectures on interesting topics, plays/musicals over lunch, storytime for kids, etc.